The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative is a beacon of hope towards the establishment of the largest free trade area with a youthful population in the World. The quest to integrate 55 nation-states with over 1.3 billion people offers the opportunity for growth, economic diversification, and a combined GDP of USD$ 3.4 trillion. The AfCFTA is handicapped by distrust, less innovative and non-productive private sector, fragile regional economic blocs, and absence of combined demonstratable agency to navigate the dynamic geopolitical environment.